Golden Accommodations

	Teepee at Quantum Leaps Lodge 1

Ideally situated at the crossroads of six national parks, Golden is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway, this easily accessible town is a resting place for tourists wanting to explore any or all of these protected lands including Banff and Jasper National Parks, Kootenay National Park, and Mount Revelstoke National Park. With the Kicking Horse River running through downtown Golden and the Columbia River bordering its east and south, the mountain town offers a multitude of outdoor attractions. Rafting, hiking, mountain biking and golfing are only a fraction of the activities that visitors may find here. Located in Kicking Horse Country, Golden is also the place to stay for avid skiers and snowboarders eager to hit world-class slopes.

From private and spacious vacation homes to traditional teepee camping, Golden can cater to a wide range of tastes, from those looking for the utmost in luxury and elegance to those hoping for a traditional wilderness experience. WorldWeb.com Travel Guide can help vacationers make informed decisions when finding suitable lodging in the Golden area with these useful accommodation links:

1. Accommodation Directory - A complete accommodation directory containing detailed information about hotels, B&Bs, luxury resorts, campgrounds and more. With links to accommodation websites and interactive maps, this directory is designed to help visitors find the right place to stay based on their type of trip and their personal preferences.
   
2. Secure Room Reservations - A convenient online room search and reservation page allowing the user to check for room availability and then make a secure online reservation. Although this is a useful feature anytime of year, the online Secure Room Reservations page is particularly helpful during busy peak seasons.
   
3. Maps - The Golden map can assist visitors in choosing where to stay by not only indicating where accommodations are located, but also where they are in relation to attractions, restaurants, shops, tours and transportation.

CAMPGROUNDS, TEEPEES AND YURTS

Thoughts of the Canadian Rocky Mountains often bring images of roughing it out in the wild and sleeping in a cozy tent. For many, an excursion to the mountains is not complete without a little bit of camping, whether in a comfortable RV trailer or a traditional tent. A number of campgrounds are located in and around Golden, all of which vary in degrees of conveniences and amenities offered.

Found directly in the town of Golden on Ninth Street and along the Kicking Horse River is the Golden Municipal Campground. This waterfront spot consists of approximately 70 sites, including RV parking pads and tenting lots. Ideal for families, this facility has town amenities nearby and is directly across the street from the municipal swimming pool. Apart from power and water services, firewood and bathing facilities, the campground also features numerous picnic shelters, including one that was built by timber-framing students from the College of the Rockies.

	Inside Great Canadian Chalets 2

The Golden Eco-Adventure Ranch, found on Highway 95, is another camping facility that features RV and tent sites as well as yurts, tent-like structures covered in fabric that come constructed with windows and doors. Located about 5 km (3 mi) south of Golden on the west side of the Columbia River and at the base of Mount 7, these grounds offer a serene setting with a focus on leaving surrounding wetland areas in the most natural state possible. With the mountains looming overhead, this 162 ha (400 acres) property is a peaceful place to stay while still being a short and convenient drive from Golden.

Located about 50 km (31 mi) west of Golden, just off the Trans-Canada Hiqhway, is Kinbasket Lake Resort, an RV campground with Beaver River and Kinbasket Lake at its core. With fishing boat rentals and an in-house fishing guide, this spot is an ideal place to stay for the eager angler hoping to reel in a few fish. A small store stocked with fishing supplies is available on site, as well as a limited amount of tent sites, cabins and a bed and breakfast house.

For a unique camping experience, Quantum Leaps Lodge and the Goldenwood Lodge both offer teepee housing in addition to various other accommodation options, some of which include a lodge and cottage units. A number of traditional teepees are available at each property, all of which include indoor central fire pits and raised beds. Both offer the use of nearby bathing facilities. Quantum Leaps Lodge is found 17 km (11 mi) northwest of Golden and along the eastern bank of the Blaeberry River while Goldenwood Lodge is about 20 km (12 mi) west of the town.

CHALETS AND LODGES

Another accommodation option that is almost synonymous with a trip to the Canadian Rockies is a stay at a chalet or lodge. These rustic wooden structures add to the natural setting and atmosphere of this untamed land while providing distinctive touches of home. Usually located in quieter areas, many of the chalets and lodges near Golden can be found anywhere from 15 minutes to half an hour from town.

	Atop Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 3

Those wanting a true mountain escape, secluded from all of civilization, will find several options in the area. Many of these lodges offer comfortable accommodations while allowing guests to immerse themselves in nature at the same time. These backcountry experiences are usually situated on a generous portion of land and generally have an in-house chef and an outdoor hot tub, with amazing views as part of the package.

Great Canadian Chalets and Alpenrose Cabins & Lodge are two properties found a few minutes west of the town. Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway, Great Canadian Chalets provides guests with private cottages complete with wood burning fireplaces and multiple bedrooms. Alpenrose Cabins & Lodge is also located off the Trans-Canada Highway. Apart from its private cabins, the property also features a four-bedroom lodge, where each room comes equipped with private baths and wireless Internet access.

Other options include Kicking Horse River Chalets, located about 20 minutes east of Golden; Lush Mountain Accommodations, which overlooks the Columbia Wetlands; Glenogle Mountain Lodge & Spa, an intimate facility 8 km (5 mi) north of the town; and Timber Inn Chalets, on a lot of 16 ha (40 acres) of land.

HOTELS AND MOTELS

	A Room at Mary's Motel 4

With the opening of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort came an expansion and increase in tourism interest for the town of Golden. Found just off the Trans-Canada Highway on the easternmost reaches of the Purcell Mountains and overlooking the town, this year-round resort is an attraction in itself, with multiple services including fine dining, such as the Eagle's Eye Restaurant located 7,700 ft (2,347 m) above sea level, and mountain accommodations, including the luxurious Palliser Lodge. Located directly on the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, this lodge was built with a ski-in, ski-out design. This allows guests to ski straight out to the lifts, providing them with quick access to the slopes and making it a great place to stay while on that ski getaway. All of the hotel's suites come with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private balconies complete with mountain vistas. While the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort focuses on world-class skiing and snowboarding, summer activities are also in abundance with visitors often opting to partake in mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

Found 15 minutes from Kicking Horse, close to downtown Golden, is the comfortable and elegant Prestige Mountainside Resort. This alternative is on the northern end, just off the Trans-Canada Highway and provides easy access to the resort as well as town amenities. The hotel offers a number of lodging options including theme rooms, deluxe and premiere suites.

Many affordable hotel options, such as the Golden Village Inn, the Ramada Golden Hotel and Mary's Motel are also found in the area. These hotels offer clean and comfortable accommodations in addition to various extras such as high-speed Internet access and family-size rooms. Downtown Golden is a popular location for hotels and motels because, while being minutes from the highway, they are also near town services, shops and restaurants, many of which are bars and pubs that cater to skiers and snowboarders who are seeking a relaxing evening after a long day on the slopes. In addition, the Kicking Horse River flows straight through downtown, offering opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy a natural setting. Many of Golden's hotels and motels also provide shuttle services to the mountains.

HOSTELS

For the budget traveller, there are a few hostels to choose from when staying in the Golden area. These dorm-like accommodations are often shared rooms that provide a great way to meet visitors from around the world who are willing to swap tips and share stories. Besides this however, hostels will also offer several other choices such as private apartment rooms or on-site camping. Hostels in Golden are found either directly in the town, such as the Kicking Horse Hostel, or in the surrounding area, such as the On The Caribou Backpackers Hostel and the Applewood Hostel.

	On The Caribou Backpackers Hostel 5

The Kicking Horse Hostel is located near downtown Golden along Station Avenue. Open year-round, this hostel often hosts an array of international travellers. This boarding house, which offers a total of 12 bunk-style beds and full kitchen use, allows patrons to stay for as long as they like making it an ideal place for an extended vacation.

On The Caribou Backpackers Hostel and Applewood Hostel are both located about 10 minutes from Golden. While On The Caribou is northwest of the town and Applewood Hostel is to the south, both are set against a natural setting surrounded by mountains, trees and wildlife. Those familiar with hostelling will find the expected amenities such as fully-equipped kitchens and shared rooms with bunk-style beds. Both hostels also have the added bonus of an on-site campground.

OTHER

Other accommodation options available in and around Golden include bed and breakfasts and private vacation homes. Golden's bed and breakfasts offer a peaceful and relaxing stay, oftentimes amidst a mountain setting while still being a short drive from Golden. The secluded Fairview Bed & Breakfast found southeast of Golden and the European-style Columbia Valley Lodge B&B, situated 23 km (14 mi) south of the town, are a few such options. However many in-town choices, such as the historic and centrally located Ambler House B&B, are also available.

For an exclusively private experience, vacation homes are fully-furnished rentals ideal for an intimate getaway to the mountains or for family or group gatherings. Homes such as Canadian Mountain Accommodations are spacious private retreats equipped with fireplaces, hot tubs, and multiple rooms making them perfect for large groups.

TRANSPORTATION

Because of its location just off the main highway, Golden is best accessed by car or coach service, with car rentals available in the area for those arriving by coach. The nearest airports are the Calgary International Airport to the east, and the Cranbrook Regional to the south. Calgary is located 269 km (167 mi) away with a driving distance of just under three hours while Cranbrook is 247 km (153 mi) away and a driving distance of about 2.5 hours. The town is also the last stop (going west) before Rogers Pass, a mountain crossing on the Trans-Canada Highway that is located 80 km (50 mi) from Golden and 70 km (43 mi) from Revelstoke. While know for avalanches and landslides, this midpoint between the two towns was designed to offer protection from these hazards in the form of five long tunnels. Because Golden is a fairly small town, there is no public transportation and the town is best explored on foot.